Unstable slash takes worker on a downhill slide

An employee was climbing up out of a cut block after completing a survey. Access to the block was difficult due to slash accumulations from winter harvest on steep cable ground.

After assessing access, the employee chose what was believed to be the safest route out of the block. However, before reaching the safety of the road a large piece of slash broke loose and slid roughly 8 metres down the steep bank with the worker on top of it. Fortunately no injuries occurred.

Learnings and Suggestions:

• Inspect work sites for alternate routes in the event of unsafe or changing work site conditions

• Be aware of snow pockets under accumulated slash and settling conditions

• Talk with harvesting contractors about road side piling to increase safe access to block